Butterflies and Blossoms Near La Fortuna Waterfall

image of la fortuna waterfall, la fortuna, costa rica

After a morning spent admiring La Fortuna Waterfall, Bob and I trudged back up the 500 steps to the top of the valley.  By that time, we were ready for lunch. Read more

Monarch Butterflies Are On The Move In Toronto

Monarch butterflies fluttering in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Today, in Toronto, we came upon a flutter of Monarch butterflies at Colonel Samuel Smith Park on the edge of Lake Ontario. The winds were brisk out of the northwest, and as a result, the butterflies were staying very low.

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A Very Lucky Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar

image of an eastern or canadian tiger swallowtail larva, in ontario, canada

How do you like my new little buddy? It is the cutest little caterpillar, an Eastern or a Canadian Tiger Swallowtail larva likely in its third or 4th instar, soon to cocoon and morph into a beautiful butterfly.
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Baltimore Checkerspot Butterflies in Ontario, Canada

baltimore checkerspot butterfly, rouge national urban park, markham, ontario

Back in June of 2017, Bob and I became aware of some Baltimore Checkerspot Butterflies that had been observed in Toronto.  We were really struck by the beauty of these butterflies, a species that we had never seen before. Read more

Cecropia Moth Caterpillar in Rouge National Urban Park

cecropia moth caterpillar, rouge national urban park, markham, ontario

On a late July afternoon, on his way to a local farmer’s market, Bob made a brief stop at North Reesor Pond in    Rouge National Urban Park  .     His intention was to look for shorebirds, but with none presenting, he began to scour the reeds and bushes for insects.  That is when he happened upon this most unusual caterpillar, a Cecropia Moth Larva. Read more

Cecropia Moths mating in Rouge National Urban Park

Cecropia Moths mating in Rouge National Urban Park, Markham

With the covid-19 virus still spreading and pandemic restrictions curtailing our activities, Bob and I found ourselves taking frequent walks in nature but staying close to home.  On one such outing, we came upon a pair of Cecropia Moths mating in    Rouge National Urban Park. Read more

Butterflies At Ecocentro Danaus – Costa Rica

jean at ecocentro danaus, costa rica

Day 2 in Costa Rica had us first completing a very early morning guided bird hike.  After breakfast back at Hotel Kokoro, Bob and I headed to Ecocentro Danaus on the edge of La Fortuna.  It is a private reserve with a butterfly conservatory where Bob and I hoped to see some of Costa Rica’s tiny winged jewels. Read more

Hiking amid the Plantations near La Bajada, Mexico

Image of La Bajada, Mexico.

Having left Cerro de San Juan Ecological Reserve behind us in Tepic, Bob determined that there were still sufficient daylight hours to make a stop and go hiking near La Bajada.  The coffee and banana plantations in that area promised good birding habitat, and it wouldn’t be too far off our route back to San Blas. Read more

A Rauparaha’s Copper Butterfly in New Zealand

Rauparaha's Copper butterfly near muriwai regional park, new zealand _3241

An image of a Rauparaha's Copper Butterfly near Muriwai, New Zealand

It was enjoyable making our way through the sand dunes at Muriwai on the North Island of New Zealand.  The observation deck looking over the Gannet colony was our destination, but delights awaited us along the way such as this pretty Rauparaha’s Copper Butterfly. Read more

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